Tim Alexander, Drummer for Primus + Puscifer, Suffers Heart Attack

Veteran rock drummer Tim Alexander, a longtime member of Primus and key contributor to Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer project, has suffered a heart attack and is heading for open heart surgery at the beginning of the upcoming week.

Alexander is the current drummer for Primus, having previously been a member of the band from 1988 to 1996 and 2003 to 2009. He rejoined the Les Claypool-led group in 2013. He's played drums on seven Primus albums, including the band's two most successful discs -- 1991's 'Sailing the Seas of Cheese' and 1993's 'Pork Soda.'

In addition, Alexander has appeared on Puscifer's two studio albums and one EP, and played drums on the Keenan-fronted A Perfect Circle's hit song 'The Hollow.' In a Facebook post, Puscifer alerted their fans to the news of Alexander's heart attack and impending surgery, writing the following:

As some of you may already know, our friend and über drummer Tim “Herb” Alexander is having a bypass procedure to remove blockage from arteries near his heart. He is a strong Herculean fellow and we all expect him to be up and around in no time but with all surgical endeavors we want to make sure he has the best energy working for him so let’s all throw our coins in the nearest fountain, wish on the first star of the night, blow out the birthday cake candles with him in mind, pray to whichever deity seems appropriate and generally send good thoughts his way so we can soon, once again, experience the glory that is the magnificent percussive rhythm of the mighty Tim Alexander.